Husband’s plea over wife’s decline

A man dreading the onslaught of his wife’s declining health has appealed to lawmakers to overhaul laws on assisted dying.

For Hugh Barnes, Lynne Sijbrant, and Anne Hare, personal experiences form the basis for their support of legalised euthanasia.

But a slight majority of speakers at Parliament yesterday, including Dr Mary English, the wife of Finance Minister Bill English, voiced opposition to euthanasia.

At Parliament, health subcommittees heard submissions on Maryan Street’s petition on assisted dying.

Barnes told MPs his wife Val was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis soon after the couple retired.

‘‘We had several dark years seeing it worsen. Val now needs assistance with everything. She’s now lying in hospital, right at this moment. The time may come when life for Val may become intolerable and pointless.’’

Barnes asked why people should not have the right to end their lives gently and in peace. ’’Please help us.’’

Sijbrant said her husband died at 37, after contacting pancreatic cancer. She said people with horrendous terminal illness should be allowed death with dignity.

‘‘I’m not here to talk about the right to die in general ... We’re talking about people who are facing certain death.’’

Sijbrant, a Christian, said Jesus’ teachings were compatible with her stand.

‘‘There’s a much wider issue about doing the right thing and caring for each other. That’s something God taught all of us.’’

Champion middle-distance runner Anne Hare recounted the decline of her father-in-law Rene Hare, who died in 2014.

She said Rene lost his sight and hearing, and was denied the chance to die with dignity. ‘‘We

‘‘Please help us." Hugh Barnes asked MPs on behalf of his wife Val, who has multiple sclerosis.

had to say goodbye over and over and over again.’’

Voluntary Euthanasia Society secretary Carole Sweney lost her husband to motor neurone disease and was herself unwell after a stroke.

‘‘I also need yearly tests to see whether the breast cancer has returned. I’m aware that a recurrence of either of those events could lead to a long, slow death for me.’’

But many submitters said law changes would create a ‘‘slippery slope’’ and endanger the lives of depressed people.

Mary English warned it would create ethical issues for doctors. ‘‘A core principle has been that we do not kill our patients.’’

She repeatedly referred to proeuthanasia laws by the acronym ‘‘MAD’’, or medically assisted dying. ‘‘It would be unsafe for those at risk of suicide.’’

She said she spoke from the perspective of a family GP with 25 years’ experience.

Deborah Burton of Waikanae said the possibility of extra pressure on unwell elderly people was her main concern. ’’[People] are more than economic units to be thrown out when we stop producing.’’

Pastor Donald Wheeler of Taranaki said an ‘‘eternity of hell and damnation’’ would result from euthanasia, and people should choose palliative care, not play God. ’’I’m out to save souls ... I stand here in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.’’

Geoff and Margaret Malcolm, whose daughter Jayne died aged 42, said New Zealand provided excellent palliative care.

The petition asked Parliament to investigate legislation which would permit medically-assisted dying, in the event of terminal illness or an irreversible condition which made life unbearable.